06 Dec 2017 | 12:29 AM UTC
Cameroon: Thousands flee as violence continues in Anglophone regions /update 2
Thousands of people flee as violence between military and separatists continues in Anglophone regions; at least seven members of security forces killed in recent days
Event
At least six soldiers and one police officer have been killed in Anglophone regions of Cameroon (Northwest and Southwest regions) in recent days as tensions continue to grow after President Paul Biya declared war on Anglophone separatists over the weekend of December 2-3. Locals have accused the military of engaging in human rights abuses, leading to thousands of refugees fleeing into the forest and into neighboring Nigeria. Furthermore, reports say frequent checkpoints have limited commerce within the regions and have caused significant transportation disruptions.
Separatist groups and the government have both vowed to continue their respective campaigns. As such, violent clashes and displacement of local residents are likely to continue into the foreseeable future.
Context
The Cameroonian government has responded to violence in Anglophone regions with a heightened security presence and heavy-handed tactics. Simmering resentment that dates back to the period of independence has resurfaced within the minority Anglophone community in Cameroon's Northwest and Southwest regions over the past year. The period since November 2016 has been marked by the closure of all English-speaking schools, strikes, unrest, and sporadic violence. Tensions between English- and French-speaking communities have escalated considerably since October 1, when secessionists unilaterally proclaimed independence in the region. Some Anglophone residents, conversely, have demanded better integration into mainstream Cameroonian society and politics and have called for an end to the political and economic marginalization of the regions.
The recent unrest prompted the US Embassy in Yaoundé to issue an advisory to its citizens and embassy staff in early October to exercise caution when traveling to the Southwest and Northwest regions. Similarly, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) released a travel warning in early October advising against all travel to the Southwest region's Bakassi Peninsula and all nonessential travel to Bamenda (Northwest region) and Buea (Southwest region).
Advice
Individuals in Cameroon are advised to closely monitor the situation, adhere to advice issued by local authorities and their home governments, and avoid protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence.
